CALGARY – The oilpatch often laments that the decision-making process for pipelines has become too political, but Canada’s natural resources minister didn’t shy away from that description when grilled in front of a Calgary business audience on Friday.

During a question-and-answer session hosted by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Jim Carr said “of course” the process is a political one.

The National Energy Board, an arms-length regulator, conducts hearings and makes recommendations on whether or not to approve pipelines. But the federal cabinet has the final say over whether a project is in Canada’s national interest.